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2018 National EMS Awards of Excellence Recipients Announced

Aug 17, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2018 National EMS Awards of Excellence Recipients Announced

Clinton, Miss. — NAEMT and EMS World are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 National EMS Awards of Excellence. The awards will be presented during NAEMT’s General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 30, in Nashville, Tennessee, and on Oct. 31, during EMS World Expo’s opening ceremony. We congratulate the following recipients and recognize their outstanding contributions to the EMS profession and the patients they serve:

Angela Hamilton has been with Sedgwick County EMS (SCEMS) in Wichita, Kansas, for 19 years. She began her career as a volunteer EMT and moved to full time in 2001 after earning her Associates of Applied Science degree and paramedic certification. As a Team Leader, Angela motivated EMS crew members to become better cliniciansand served as a preceptor for many paramedic students. “There are few providers in our service who demonstrate the values of servant leadership as well as she does,” said Col. Paul Misasi, Paramedic and Quality Manager for SCEMS. Angela was nominated by Rosa Spainhour, Director, Kiowa County EMS, and supported by Joseph House, Director, Kansas Board of EMS, after receiving the Kansas EMS Association 2017 Paramedic of the Year Award. Angela is a patient care advocate and supports EMS education. She embraces a “just culture” management philosophy to facilitate personal safety among co-workersand identify areas for improvements. She seeks opportunities that will challenge her to be a better paramedic and leader. In October 2017, Angela was promoted to QA Education Coordinator at SCEMS (rank of Major) where she continues to foster leadership throughout the organization. Angela cares deeply about the service SCEMS provides to the community, the profession and professionalism of EMS, and the people with whom she works.

Steven Kroll, MHA, EMT, serves as Chief of Delmar-Bethlehem EMS (DBEMS) in New York. He has been an EMT since 1982. Steven has developed a positive work environment at DBEMS by blending career and volunteer staff. He led the development of quality initiatives and incorporated continuing education as a means of improving patient care and the agency’s workforce. Michael Dailey, MD, Regional EMS Medical Director, nominated Steven and commended him for being an EMS leader, true professional, and patient care advocate. Steven serves on the Executive Board of the Hudson Mohawk Regional EMS Council and Regional Emergency Medical Organization and as Chairperson of the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee. Steven is the immediate Past Chair of the New York State Emergency Medical Services Council, which advises the state government on EMS issues. He is an advocate for person-centered EMS through the collaboration of prehospital providers, the broader healthcare system, and social services. Steven’s experience in healthcare management and government affairs inspires him to want to improve EMS and he also maintains the skillset to help others improve as well. Terence Hannigan, EMT, stated “The value of Steve’s leadership cannot be overstated in creating the success of DBEMS and the benefits the agency provides to our community.”

Stephen Meyer is a paramedic and Staff Sergeant (SSG) in the U.S. Army, recently serving as the 75th Ranger Regiment Senior Medic. He was deployed for Operation Freedom’s Sentinel as a special operations Strike Force senior medic and medical advisor to the Afghanistan Special Operations Force. SSG Meyer provided medical support and training to junior medics to ensure the highest level of readiness. He received a commendation medal with “C” device for exceptional achievement in support of the Operation. SSG Meyer’s advanced training enabled him to treat severe wounds, administer tranexamic acid (TXA), apply tourniquets, perform invasive procedures on severely injured casualties, and safely move them to a secure location. “SSG Meyer is the epitome of selfless service,” said Maj. Charles Moore, MD, stating in his nomination letter that in spite of being immobilized and in pain with his own injury, SSG Meyer continued his care of injured comrades brought to him. SSG Meyer was later awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. Maj. Moore further stated that “SSG Meyer's superior professionalism, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence have and continue to save lives on the battlefield. If injured on the battlefield, SSG Meyer is the medic I would want to see running towards me to save my life.”

Peter Antevy, MD has served as the Medical Director for a number of EMS agencies throughout Broward, Palm Beach and Dade Counties in Florida since 2010, and contributed significantly to advancing the quality of care delivered. He is also a longstanding medical director for two paramedic training programs and several mobile integrated healthcare (MIH) programs. Colleague Capt. Petar Hossick remarked, “Dr. Antevy has taken commitment to clinical excellence in EMS to a whole new level by guiding the critical decision-making skills of his paramedics throughout their career.” Dr. Antevy has authored studies and spearheaded a system used to expedite resuscitative care for children. “Dr. Antevy has made very significant contributions that have improved the emergency care of children and their families,” said colleague Chief Juan Cardona of the Coral Springs/Parkland Fire Department. Board certified in both EMS and Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Dr. Antevy has received many awards, including the prestigious Ron J. Anderson Memorial Award, for his efforts to improve the outcomes of critically ill and injured children. He is involved in his departments’ continuous quality improvement (CQI) programs and has seen dramatic improvements in the outcomes of cardiac arrest patients. This year, he helped bring the Seattle Resuscitation Academy to Florida and has demonstrated a significant impact on prehospital cardiac arrest outcomes. Dr. Antevy has pioneered initiatives including the placement of severe bleeding kits in AED cabinets and the creation of the Florida Stroke Registry. Davie Fire Rescue’s Chief Julie Downey commented, “Dr. Antevy has been a strong leader at the local, state and national level and has been the spark that has created positive change in so many aspects of EMS.”

Jeremy Sonenschein is the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at Valley Hospital Medical Center and teaches on topics including emergency/disaster preparedness, health science, CPR, First-Aid, decontamination/hazardous materials training and emergency response. He holds a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology/Sports Medicine. For nearly 20 years, Jeremy has been a medic also working as an EMS/Fire Science instructor for various educational institutions and disaster relief organizations. A notable achievement was his creation of an accredited Fire/EMS training program at Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, CA, which began primarily with financial donations. Jeremy’s program remains the EMS training model for all of Los Angeles Unified School District and neighboring districts. Former colleague, David Tuckman said, “Jeremy deserves recognition for his limitless devotion to this program, but more for his altruistic and unwavering passion for training tomorrow’s heroes today.” Jeremy has dedicated his life to helping others through disaster relief efforts as a volunteer firefighter/first responder, answering the call to serve at national disasters, including the 9/11 attack and Hurricane Katrina. In addition to holding a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, Jeremy is a licensed pilot and has volunteered his time and medical equipment to help children and families in need.

Nominees for the Paramedic and EMT of the Year Awards are scored on how the nominee: provides superior patient care; is an effective advocate for patients and their families; works with peers to foster a positive work environment; demonstrates professionalism in interacting with patients, their families and other medical professionals; and demonstrates a commitment to continuing professional education.

Nominees for the Military Medic of the Year Award are recognized military medics (MOS-qualified active, reserve or National Guard U.S. Army Medic, Navy Corpsman or Air Force Medic) who demonstrate excellence in the performance of military emergency medicine, with their primary role being that of theater patient care.

Nominations for the Educator of the Year Award are scored on how the nominee: consistently demonstrates commitment to providing high quality, professional education for EMS practitioners; serves as an outstanding role model for EMS practitioners in the classroom and in the community; effectively mentors EMS students at all stages of their professional development; introduces and incorporates innovative approaches and tools in the classroom, which enhance students' learning experiences; and contributes and participates in the development of education content that expands the body of quality EMS curriculum.

Leon County EMS is a progressive department delivering advanced life support, critical care, tactical medicine, special event coverage and community risk reduction services to the citizenry of Florida’s “Capital County,” which includes the state capital of Tallahassee as well as two of the state’s major universities—Florida A&M and Florida State University. As the sole provider of emergency ambulance service in the county, this busy team of 122 full-time and 40 part-time personnel runs over 40,000 calls per year. A fleet of 30 ambulances, three supervisor SUVs, four command vehicles, two MCI units and special events carts deliver care to a population of almost 300,000. In just its 14th year of operation, Leon County EMS has garnered an impressive list of community awards and recognitions, including accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, a Mission: Lifeline Gold Plus EMS Award from the American Heart Association, and EMS Provider of the Year from the Florida Dept. of Health. “The most important element is our people,” says Chad Abrams, chief of EMS for Leon County EMS. Staff members of Leon County EMS benefit from a strong employee-first culture featuring perks such as a Professional Development Program based on the FEMA model, paid parental leave, competitive reimbursement, 100% tuition reimbursement, a LiveWell Wellbeing program, employee sports teams, fitness center, employee recognition awards and a comprehensive benefits package. A Domestic and Sexual Violence or Stalking program provides workplace protections to service members. Community outreach is a central mission of the department as well, and includes the Heart Ready Initiative, AED registry, CPR training, safety fairs and awareness events too long to list. Collaboration with a local social service referral system connects Leon County EMS with at-risk populations in need of preventive and ongoing care. "To be recognized by NAEMT, an organization with more than four decades of experience in the emergency medicine field, demonstrates our paramedics and EMTs are some of the best in their field," said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. "This distinction highlights our ongoing training and innovations to improve pre-hospital care and outcomes. And these successes are made possible because of our exemplary leadership team at EMS and our commitment to quality emergency care."

The Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad serves the emergency medical needs of the busy coastal destination of Virginia Beach. Home to an active military and tourist population, the town is served by 10 volunteer rescue squads, and the 175-memberVirginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad donates over 45,000 hours of volunteer operational and support time yearly. “The rescue squad has crews running out of two stations and responds to over 14,000 calls each year,” explains Doris Foster, historian of the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. All operational members commit to 48 hours per month and support members volunteer 12 hours per month. The rescue squad staffs three ambulances per 12-hour shift. During peak hours, “power shifts” bring the staffing up to 6-7 available ambulances. All services are provided free of charge; no patients are billed. Funding for equipment and resources for the squad comes from fund drives and state and local grants. They also receive funds from memorial donations from community members. “This is a multimillion dollar business that is run on a day-to-day basis by volunteers and the commitment of community leaders,” says Foster, adding that the agency covers medical support for large-scale events in the bustling region, including parades, marathons, music festivals and beachside celebrations. Community education includes safety and first aid training at schools and civic organizations as well as proper beach, water and hurricane practices critical to keeping this waterfront community safe. The safety of its providers is paramount as well, and the rescue squad has installed power lift systems and stretchers as well as state-of-the art gyms at each station. Summer and winter uniforms and reflective safety outerwear elevate the safety profile for all members. An innovative digital dashboard accessible to all members details fleet and equipment status, SOPs, bylaws, member “shout-outs” and other agency news. Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad works closely with other volunteer squads to share best practices and to elevate the profile and the value of volunteer EMS agencies across the country. Active social media channels and regular newsletters further strengthen the connection with the community. A squad chaplain provides emotional support to crew members, and an EMS Honor Guard represents the department when a member of the public safety community is lost in the line of duty. “Virginia Beach is a safer place to live because of the volunteer medical support and community outreach,” says Foster. “The rescue squad’s mission statement emphasizes reliable service, quality training, cooperative alliances and community awareness. To achieve these goals, the rescue squad has a commitment from volunteer members and our leadership to provide quality service.”

Nominees for the Service of the Year Awards are scored on the following: advances in EMS education and training in the agency; innovations in prehospital care and protocol development implemented by the agency; medical community involvement with the agency; EMS system/program upgrades implemented by the agency; worker safety and well-being programs implemented by the agency; injury- and illness-prevention projects implemented by the agency; and public-education project sponsorships the agency is involved in.

About NAEMT
Formed in 1975 and more than 65,000 members strong, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) is the only national association representing the professional interests of all emergency and mobile healthcare practitioners. NAEMT members work in all sectors of EMS, including government agencies, fire departments, hospital-based ambulance services, private companies, industrial and special operations settings, and in the military. Contact: Kathleen Taormina, Marketing and Media Manager, kathleen.taormina@naemt.org

About EMS WorldAs the industry’s first prehospital publication, EMS World has the reputation and body of work EMS providers have trusted for over 45 years. With the only print publication serving the industry, EMS World’s primary audience is EMS chiefs, administrators and paramedics. As the leading EMS services portal, EMSWorld.com delivers breaking news 24/7 and exclusive online education and training for all levels of EMS practitioners, as well as the most comprehensive listing of EMS products, services and technologies in the industry. Contact: Jonathan Bassett, Editorial Director, jon@emsworld.com